If you are near in this area, then you should know how great it is to eat here. Place - Extremely well cleaned, you can see a lot of good things in their dining area. The comfort rooms are well maintained. Service - very good. I would give 5 star for their service, but there are sometime that their service is bad. Good thing there's time that they really excell on the service. Food - was good. Will usually come here just for their food.
(4)
Yan K.
Our hotel was just few minutes away. We stumbled upon El Tropico on a second day, and kept on coming back every day. Excellent quality of food. Both breakfast and lunch. Dishes are authentic and crazy tasty. Empanadas and croquettes were juicy and melting in your mouth. Side dish of Yuco was to kill for :) Beer served with ice cold glasses, generous size of shots. And very friendly, professional stuff. Will go back to Miami just to eat here again!
(5)
Everett M.
Outstanding, the real deal, love the flank steak with chimi-Chua sauce, yummy plantains and awesome Mojitos! Don't be turned off by the strip mall location and simple dining room- great service by staff and a fun time was had. Might come back for this breakfast it was so good!
(5)
Mike Z.
Came here for some brunch this morning. I had a mushroom omelet which came with cafè con leche (cuban coffee with milk). Both were really good. We split french toast for dessert which was soft and tasty. Our waitress was really friendly and informative. The bathrooms were very disgusting, dirty and outdated. Overall a good experience with good food and good service. Would come here again.
(4)
Karen R.
Was definitely not disappointed! I ordered the Ranchero eggs with a cortadito and my husband got the Egg breakfast with cafe con leche. The coffee and cortadito are amazing! Better than Starbucks' latte! Definitely recommend this place!
(5)
Amalia Y.
I wanted to like it more. based on some great yelp reviews, came here for an early dinner... and was pretty disappointed. between five of us, no one was super thrilled with their meal. my garlic chicken came in a bowl of oil with garlic. I love garlic, but the full cup of oil it was sitting in made eating it a bit unpleasant. the tostones are so fried that they lose any unique flavor, and the platanos were a bit underdone. just about everything was underseasoned. steak fajitas were the best of what we ordered, though I've definitely had better. portions were large, and we had no room or desire for dessert. free wifi was a plus for the kids in our group... but definitely not good enough to warrant a return visit.
(2)
Estefania S.
The mood at this restaurant definitely sets the scene for your typical Cuban Miami style restaurant. At different times, which I do not know of, they do have live music that is sure to be enjoyable with an area to dance if you are up for it and in the mood to shake it down! The gentleman that was taking care of us was Cuban as am I which made me very comfortable while placing my order, etc. each of my family members ordered a different item off of the money and then I did. We all tried of each other's dishes. I think the food was fairly good but it just turns out that my dish was not exactly what I expected. I ordered the ropa vieja and for my liking it just was not up to par. I've been to this spot many times and I would come again but just not order this particular dish. I would prefer to go with picadillo or vaca frita. Mmmm
(4)
R W.
I'm here now actually. Seated right away. Nice waitress approached me as I sat at the counter. I had the chicken Pollo which was excellent. I will come again.
(3)
Liz O.
Minute we walked in it took us 15 minutes to order get drinks then 10 minutes later we had our food. They were extremely helpful with deciding what we want and took our order no problem. I'm extremely impressed! And would come here again!
(5)
Antonio L.
customer service was great. our waitress was very patient however i did not like the way how the food tasted, very stale, was not happy at the end especially if they charge alot for it. ive been here before and it was alot better. i will be back only if they improve from my last visit.
(2)
Christine P.
Been living a few minutes from here for years - and only recently discovered this place for breakfast. Perfect for the mornings you wake up craving overly buttered, super (not at all) healthy toast, and cafe con leche. It's hard to find good Cuban on this side of town - so adding to my list.
(4)
Cesar L.
I frequent this place a lot. This time I stopped by the window/coffee area to place my order. There was only one lady working the window, so she was very busy. I ordered the special of the day; chicken churrasco with white rice and sweet plantains. I also ordered a chicken soup. The chicken was a bit dry and lack the basic Latin flavors, but it was definitely earable. I won't order that again for sure. The staff looked happy and that turned into good customer service. Great location no doubt. I'll be back.
(3)
Nancy H.
Vacation trip with friends. This place was recommended by the concierge at our hotel. We all highly recommend for lunch. I wish I had time to try dinner. Empanadas were on point. Plantains both green and sweet were delicious. Service was good also.
(5)
Sergio Q.
The girls in the cafe are fantastic. I come often for breakfast. Simple fast and the service is good. Try the "steak and eggs" The price is very good!!!
(3)
Meagan D.
Bottom line- GO HERE! We are visiting Sunny Isles for the first time and the hotel recommended this place. The food was spectacular. Best food we've had in a long time. Try the pork with mushrooms and the Cuban sampler appetizer. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Ximena s.
I order delivery twise from here already...first time they got my order wrong I gave it a second chance now after a few months ....I've got what I ordered but the meat was horrible it was hard and tested old . The only think I liked was the Arroz con leche. I don't think I'm eating from here ever again...specially after reading this reviews about roaches in the restaurant....(I should of read this reviews before eating from this place)
(1)
Stuart M.
I have eaten here numerous times and have never been disappointed. The food is always cooked to perfection reflecting how I ordered it. The staff are well trained and respectful. I also find the food very reasonably priced and more flavourful than meals that cost double or triple the price. I would recommend this place to anybody whether it be for a large group or a single diner.
(5)
Orly R.
I have been there for breakfast a couple of times and I was never disappointed. Excellent staff. Great for a quick bite in the morning. Try waffles or eggs with the Cuban bread. Yum! :)
(4)
Julia B.
The food and atmosphere at El Tropico had me questioning whether I was in Sunny Isles Beach or actually in Havana. Well I've never really been to Cuba, so I can't really say, but if the food tastes as good as the food at this restaurant, I would move there in a heartbeat. And probably gain upwards of 20 pounds because the food tastes delicious and portions are twice the size of your local TGIFriday's. This restaurant looks very unassuming in this gigantic strip mall, it looks nice, but not extraordinary. But after you taste the food and your taste buds begin to have a little dance party, you will forget your surroundings completely! My friends and I sat on the patio, enjoying the warm spring weather, sipping on the mojitos-which were great, but cost just as much or more than some of our meals. I didn't really mind since I was on vacation, but for what I was paying I would have liked it to have been a little bit stronger, I could barely taste the rum in it. We started with some chicken empanadas, a classic you can't go wrong with, and they were yummy! We were also given some bread similar to garlic bread that was quite good. For my entree, I chose the steak Milanese and this thing was HUGE, I'm talking twice the size of my face. Milanse is breaded steak covered in ham, covered in lots and lots of cheese. Yeaaa, basically food porn. All entrees come with a choice of two sides, I went with the beans and rice (classic Cuban that you can't go wrong with) and the yucca (a root vegetable slightly similar to a potato) and both were equally amazing. My BF went with the pork loin in mushroom sauce and we kept stealing bites of each others food, we couldn't decide what was better. Our friend got the traditional Ropa Vieja, which I managed to get one bit of before it was gone, and I was impressed by how tender and juicy it was. At the end of our meal, we could not get up for a few minutes because we were so full and unfortunately could not even consider dessert because of this factor. If I came here again I would definitely have gotten a doggy bag (our travel plans the following day did not allow this.) In addition to the food, the atmosphere inside looked great for the brief moment that I saw it, with live music and couples dancing to the music. The service was good and the food came out quite quickly, especially for how busy the restaurant was. El Tropico is definitely worth a try if you're in Sunny Isles Beach and are looking for authentic Cuban food-I will be back for sure!
(4)
Agustina P.
Cockroach alert!!! I've always found this place to be decent and go for breakfast every other weekend, but this morning, a freaking cockroach appeared from under my boyfriend's plate. I caught the critter with an empty glass and left it there to show our waitress. All she did was kill it and bring us our bill... with no discount or even an "I'm sorry about that." Maybe cockroaches are regulars there. I will most definitely never be going back!
(1)
J. O.
Good food and the staff is always friendly. The last time we were there we had the sauteed garlic dolphin, roasted pork and shredded chicken. The chicken and dolphin were way over salted and the pork was dry. Have to say we've had really good food there - must have been an off day...
(4)
Gordon B.
Greasy, deep-fried ... Pretty much sums it up. The music was obnoxiously loud and the menu is very limited if you're looking for quasi-healthy food. Looks more like a takeout restaurant. Definitely won't be returning here.
(2)
Albert C.
i was here on saturday for dinner great food good prices no waiting for tables
(5)
Hugo M.
This is a Family place with exceptional friendly and prompt service. I don't get to this part of the country often but this place is "real deal" Cuban food of very high quality and exceptional flavor. Please try this place I think you will find it as enjoyable as I did.
(5)
Juliet S.
I would say this is miamis version of a pollo loco. I got the quesadilla salad since I have been eating way too much food while being here. For the price they give you a huge salad with a ton of chicken, black beans veggies and cheese. The cilantro sauce they have is yummy I used that as my dressing instead. Everyone else liked it as well and the prices. Also I don't know if it's just me but Miami is filled with snobby waiters and waitresses or people who work in Miami just have no personalities. Pollo tropical had a few really nice employees and I really liked that. It was quite a relief actually Now That's how we roll in LA :)
(5)
Brian M.
What trip to southern Florida would be complete without some Cuban cuisine. So when I first checked into my hotel, I asked for a list of local restaurants and believe it or not El Tropico was not on the list, it wasn't until after that I asked another person at the hotel about a good Cuban restaurant that she pointed me to El Tropico. I am so glad I asked because I I loved the food. When I first arrived I was a little put off as it was just in the middle of a generic strip mall, however once I walked in my nerves were put to rest, this appears to be a family owned business because all of the workers really took pride in the experience. There was even a band setting up while we were eating, I really wanted to stay to see the band perform however time didn't allow. We first ordered an appetizer of Chicken Croquette which is basically a small breadcrumb fried food roll filled with mashed potatoes and chicken. These were great, I could have had all six to myself. As far as the entrees go I ordered the Pollo Al Tamarin, which was a grilled chicken breast in a sweet sauce, it reminded me a little of a sweet and sour sauce only better. The sides were just as good, I really enjoyed the black beans and rive, along with the plantains. The food was good, I even had a chance to try the Bistec Empanizad, which was a thin fried steak which I loved. Prices were very reasonable for the size of the meal, I was really a little depressed that I didn't come across this place for lunch because I really would had loved to dined here again however my flight home was leaving early the next morning however if I am ever back in the area I am going to make sure I return to El Tropico!
(4)
Olivia G.
The service was quick and friendly. The food was very tasty. The price was very affordable. Not the cleanest looking place but I definitely recommend.
(4)
Chip D.
As a resident of Sunny Isles - the best locals "only" place in town for breakfast or lunch! Breakfast; Cuban pastries and cafe con leche/cordaditos..... Lunch; medianoche or pan con lecheon with the small side order of tostones for the table! Awesome, simple food on the cheap! Service is great too, albeit a little slow - but so what, what's so bad about waiting 5 extra minutes for the check while you sip a cordadito!
(4)
Hannah S.
El Tropico is a great and authentic Cuban restaurant which I have been going to for 10 years. Waiters & waitresses are always polite, even those who don't speak English (and especially a waitress named Estancia who serves me a lot). I feel "at home" when I'm there. Their pan tostado is the best I've had, baked fresh daily and served with a spread of butter, garlic, cilantro, and an assortment of savory spices. Ropa Vieja, or juicy shredded beef, is my "usual", a nicely sized portion served in a cozy saucer. It has a nice medley of veggies including onions, tomato, peppers, and peas. Occasionally, it has been stringy, or there have been small clusters of chewy meat, but this doesn't happen often. Another dish that I get there sometimes is the garlic chicken. It's a very strong flavor palette. It consists of 10- 15 small, thin portions of grilled chicken served floating in a dish of marinade. Very occasionally, the chicken has been slightly rubbery, slippery, or glossy, but when it's done right, it is phenomenal. Empanadas, soups, and sandwiches are also good choices here. It is moderately priced and there is outdoor seatingand live latin music on saturday nights which provides a very Cuban atmosphere combined with the decor and photographs on the walls. Very rarely, there are some slight issues with sanitation like bathrooms that could use cleaning, but the pros outweigh the cons in my opinion. If you're looking for something unique to try, this is the place, but its not for everyone. I wouldn't recommend it for vegans, picky people, or large groups. It does not have wifi, for those busy sissies who have their smartphones glued to their hands (jk :P)
(4)
Michelle H.
Food is good. Cheap and yummy Cuban cuisine (which is all you want sometimes, right? Lol) I tried the Seafood paella which was nice, tender, and jumbalaya-ish asides from the fact that the squid was chewy. It's not that this place is bad...the food is good. But having tried this kind of cuisine a lot, it's just nothing special. But here's the kicker. The cafe con leche. Hands down, you will not have a better cafe con leche in Miami. The best cafe con leche, I repeat. I ordered one, realized it was not enough, and ordered another. They also got nice little free toasted garlic loaf appetizers. That's always nice. Overall nice, good tasting cheap Cuban cuisine that's not so special but has the utter best cafe con leche.
This place is nice. The foods is excellent and the service is great. When you come thru, you must try their coffee. The only thing is that the place has a basement odor, very strong. They need to work on that.
Delicious food! Less then desirable service! Actually the service was quite lousy. First of all, we did not get any bread....then, they got my order wrong. When they brought all four plates to the table and I told them they didn't bring me what I ordered, they took the plate and brought me the correct plate 20 minutes later. Most restaurants would've left the wrong plate as a courtesy and brought you the correct plate. Afterwards, we had to ask for water...three times. There were four of us eating and all of our water glasses were empty. Then, when they brought my husband's coffee, they didn't bring sugar. We asked for sugar and they brought us a container full of Splenda. When my husband told them there was no sugar, the waiter looked at the container carefully to make sure my husband hadn't missed a hidden pack of sugar. When the waiter realized my husband was correct and there was no sugar, they brought us the sugar. Will I go back? No, I certainly would not!
(2)
Eric N.
Food is very average to sub-average for flavor. Decent prices and decent portion. I like the cafe cubano, which is the only reason to visit this local spot.
(2)
Shannon V.
Got an order delivered. First time trying it out. We all ordered Cuban sandwiches and the steak sandwich..all were very bland and not good. Hardly any meat n the sandwiches..very disappointed..have had great Cuban sandwiches in Austin, TX..this place doesn't even compare
(1)
Rocco F.
Staying close by and my fiance and i had stumbled across this cuban restaurant on our walk. Fresh well seasoned food served by friendly attentive staff. Filled with alot of locals.
(4)
Ingrid L.
Beware they serve food with Roaches!!!! EAT HERE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!! The owner yelled insulting me and refused to remove the roach infested item off my bill after ignoring me for half an hour. Then had the nerve to tell me, " THE ROACH IS FREE OF CHARGE!" I am local and I went there last week with a family member visiting. We ordered food and the house sangria they make in the kitchen. While drinking my sangria I noticed a small roach stuck to the fruit. I took it out with a straw and put in on a white napkin and had the 3 waiters take it to show the manager and the bill. I felt sick to my stomach and wanted to get out of there after being served a roach. I asked 5 times to speak to the manager. Then server tell me they do not have one and the owner did not want to deal with me and acted like he was busy. I got tired of waiting and figured if no one wants to deal with me in the restaurant then they would certainly get attention if I walked out the restaurant, and I was right! The moment I walked out a short pudgy man comes running out you did not pay and I told him that I have been waiting to speak to someone charge and I will not pay for a roach infested item. He was yelling like crazy and acted as if I dined and ditched the bill when all I was asking for was customer service. He just kept screaming that I need to pay the bill and he does not have roaches in his kitchen. This man was so irate that I called the cops. I paid my bill after the police arrived and the $6.99 sangria that the owner denies there was a roach in was removed! The sunny isles police were disgusted and apologetic for having to experience this. They advised me to call the health department and pst this review to warn other people of this place. I WILL AM CALLING THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT NEXT. I would rate this place 0 stars but that was not an option! Most restaurants with this experience would offer to waive the bill entirely or at least apologize and remove the compromised item off the bill.
(1)
Rick S.
Went there for breakfast! The place was packed ! Great Cuban breakfast at reasonable prices. The cafe con leche was xcellent. I can't wait to go back and get the Cuban sandwich. I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Cynthia V.
Definitely deserves 5 stars. All the food we had here was amazingly delicious! I came all the way from Californian not knowing any restaurants here so I yelped and ended up finding this place and all my family and friends agree with me that this place was delicious. Definitely coming back
(5)
YT C.
Food was tasty but the whole experience is overshadowed by takeout waitress demanding a tip. That defeats the purpose of takeout. Yes it's the holidays and I did give. But to be so pushy about it was a bit tasteless.
(3)
Ashley V.
This place is a must when visiting Sunny Isles beach!!! We come here for breakfast without fail. By far the most reasonable breakfast specials and of course the best cafe con leche in town. We also find ourselves taking the empandas to go as well as the pastries for a snack. Granted the decor is a little dated, and at times the service is slow, but it is definitely worth coming for the food!
Service is good, even though some of the staff speak no English, they do a good job of keeping up with the steps of service. The lunch specials are awesome. Everyday they have at least 5 dishes that are well priced and well portioned. The ambiance is casual, with outdoor seating. Most importantly the food is delicious. I've been going there for the last 3 year and it has never, ever, not once disappointed.
(5)
Michael O.
We were referred here by the concierge and was happily surprise. We wanted to try a Cuban restaurant during our stay. Upon entering there were a group of older men playing Backgammon and smoking cigars out front. Inside help was pleasant. I had the skirt steak and black beans while my wife had pork with a mushroom sauce and rice with black beans. Both were very tasty.
(4)
Jenny L.
Mushroom garlic pork had a wonderful creamy sauce and garlic chicken was tender and delicious (note: served in bowl of garlic oil). Both dishes came with two sides each so we chose yellow rice each, plantains, and fries. Decently priced and service was quick.
(4)
Wes M.
The food was great. Lots of it. It was nicer than expected based on walking up to it. The service was quick too. The croquettes and the empanadas were awesome.
fantastic restaurant!! great place to go for breakfast! i highly recommend the empanadas: they are absolutely amazing!! also recommend the french toast which is also very tasty! they also have fresh squeezed orange juice which is always great to have in the morning! also, if your a coffee fan, i hear the cafe con leche is very popular so definitely get a cup if you're there
(5)
Wayne H.
Some of the best Cuban food I have ever had! I always knew that I loved Cuban food but this place brought my taste buds to another level. The first night, yes I went back for seconds, I had the fried pork chunks with yellow rice and black beans. It was the best. The fried pork chunks were so tender you could cut them with a fork. The yellow rice was mouth watering good. For the chicken and rice (Arroz Pollo) you have to call ahead 60 minutes so I did so the next day and it was just what I thought it would be . Off the hook delicious. The service was great also, I had a nice waitress from Argentina, forgot her name and the second visit Ivan helped me out and was very nice. They even gave me a cardboard tray to take the food to go. I will certainly come back to this spot when I come back to MIAMI!
(4)
Ryan V.
First time having Cuban food, not bad. We had shredded pork and Cuban fried steak, a little salty but good. I had the Cuban ice coffee, pretty good and it kept me up all nite.
(4)
J.R. L.
My first experience in Cuban food. The food was tasty but a little too greasy, although their mojito was just right. The plantain chips and the dip were nice. The Cuban coffee was delicious, but a tad too sweet. The service was very good, with a server taking time to explain each meal, make recommendations, and familiarize us with Cuban cuisine. Our order arrived promptly. It's probably just not for me. If you like Cuban, you will probably enjoy this place.
(4)
Jonah K.
Good location, decent food. Nothing to write home about, you need to have some seriously good cuban food. I mean this is Miami :) Service was friendly and good. English is well understood here.
(3)
irina b.
Adorable Cuban restaurant. Excellent Mojito but costs $12 each! Pollo Ajillo was dry and that is supposed to be their signature dish. Beans and rice were excellent and I felt very bloated afterwards. Chicken Empanizado (Deep fried chicken breast) was ok but a bit dry. Flan was delicious.3 milk cake also good. Chicken soup was very good.
(3)
Igor P.
SO happy to finally find a cuban restaurant. I have been dreaming of eating tostones, ropa vieja, and churrasco like I used to in NJ so I was so excited to find this place so close to where I live. The food was fresh, hot, yummy and inexpensive. Plus they have fruit smoothies which you can get with either milk or water which are so scrum. I like that the restaurant is clean and well designed, really a pleasant environment especially with the soft, Spanish music playing in the background. Will definitely come back to enjoy the food again and to see the lovely, gap-toothed waitress who pronounced water as "gggvater".
(4)
Adam C.
This place was an accidental discovery for us that became our favorite restaurant the week we stayed in Miami. Coming from Chicago, we researched the heck out of the best restaurants to try and we hit several of the most highly-rated places in the city. El Tropico was not on that list, but we happened to stroll by it one day while we went for a long walk. We noticed a bunch of real Cubans ordering espressos, playing dominos and backgammon and eating what looked like delicious food. We stopped in to sample the food and were totally blown away. The empanadas are outstanding (we tried all three flavors and could not decide which was best). The black beans and rice are perfectly prepared. The pork loin with creamy mushroom sauce was my wife's favorite dish, while I really liked the Ropa Vieja. We also tried and loved the Cuban coffee there. In our full week of vacation, we ended up going to this place three times. The last night we were in Miami, we capped the vacation off with a Saturday night visit to El Tropico for their live music and dancing. It was incredible. The music was like Buena Vista Social club and the patrons all began to dance very well after they finished their meals. My wife was like "We're so taking lessons and coming back here next year!" You can't go wrong with this place. It's like this hole-in-the-wall restaurant that's in a strip-mall, but if you give it a chance, you'll be back again and again like we were.
(5)
Eric K.
As I learned recently, it's about a $40 cab ride from North Miami Beach to South Beach. Therefore, in need of a quick bite from our hotel in Sunny Isles, we ventured through the strip malls bordering the northern part of Collins Ave and found our long lost Cuban grandma's cooking at El Tropico. The nondescript restaurant sign and the middle-aged guys sitting in front of the restaurant sipping on cafe con leches from styrofoam cups gave me good vibes, and the food was all comfort, which was perfect for recovering after a weekend of wedding celebrations. For one lunch, we got a complimentary basket of garlic cuban toast and an order of fried plantain chips to start, and I got the classic ropa vieja with 2 sides, yellow rice and black beans. The ropa vieja came in a big cup full of strands of beef in a hearty tomatoey stew that were accompanied perfectly by the sides. I tried my friend's vaca frita, which consisted of strands of beef, fried and sauteed, and I decided my ropa vieja was way better. I ended the meal with a great cup of cafe con leche, and liked the meal so much that I came here again on another morning for brunch. For my 2nd meal, I got the cubano sandwich and it was packed full of pork and ham with pickle and mustard to give it some bite. And for $7, I imagined how much I'd have to pay for this sizable sandwich in NY. If you find yourself in North Miami Beach and you're not in the mood to spend on the cab to eat somewhere in sobe, pay your respects to your cuban grandma. She will save you money and give you a meal to remember.
(4)
Nico J.
Fast service on a Thursday mid morning. Omellete was good, cage con Leche satisfying. Everyone was speaking Spanish so it was a little closer to being in Cuba. A little. Nicer interior than I expected. Will be back for a coffee from the walk up service Window.
(4)
Amy H.
Large portions. Delicious food. Pork and steak both amazing. Attentive service. Perfect mojito. Terrific choice for vacationer.
(4)
Jason F.
Very friendly staff, great quality food. Try the Cuban coffee. The walk up window is very convenient. Cudos!!
(4)
Jim P.
This laid back Cuban restaurant has a lil somethin for everyone. The walk up window and old diner style gives it a simple feel. But if you're looking for something more formal, look no further than the main dining room. The hand full of times I've eaten here the food was excellent, but I expect this from any Cuban restaurant on Collins. I go here mainly to have a cup of the GREAT Cuban coffee. On Saturday nights, this place is usually packed. They host a live Cuban band and a healthy crowd. You'll even see some couples dancing (usually the habanera). If you find yourself talking to a particularly friendly stranger, it's probably the owner. He's an owner that doesn't mind making sure his customers enjoy themselves. So, if you happen to end up in Sunny Isles. Stop at this understated Cuban restaurant for a great meal and cool atmosphere.
(5)
Claudine C.
This establishment in the RK strip mall near the Newport Beachside is a fair alternative to Starbuck's... if you've got some time to spare. We ordered at the take-our window, and must have waited 1/2 hour to 45 minutes for our order to materialize. We chose the steak and eggs off the breakfast menu, 2 cafe con leches and 6 croquetas (3 jamon and 3 pollo). The steak and eggs were underseasoned, and the pollo croquetas bland (stick with the jamon). I'd give the place another try - the menu is extensive, and I'd certainly like to try their lechon, cuban sandwich, cortaditos...
(2)
Evelyn S.
"No bread?" My first experience here for dinner wasn't great. For starters, food was somewhat overpriced and our table was not given any bread or rolls. Call me old fashioned but I've dined at countless Cuban restaurants and toasted Cuban bread is the bare minimum I would expect to receive at dinner. To add insult to injury, their huge bread press was visible from where we were sitting. Other than that, the food was very good, but portions were a little small for the price. Against my own wishes, I gave the place another try for lunch. This time we sat at the "casual" walk-up/booth side of the restaurant and I was pleasantly surprised with the meal. I had one of the best Cuban sandwiches in town with plantain chips and a perfect cup of cafe con leche. Everything was delicious and the lunch prices were better. In the future, I might give this place another star if the owners would only share their delicious bread with the dinner patrons. Maybe next time..
(3)
Beverley D.
Was craving chicken soup. I asked the server if the chicken soup was made fresh daily. "Yes, our soup is made fresh" You would think that fresh meant fresh. I felt like I was drinking a can of campbell soup with a roast chicken cut up to make it seem fresh and to hide the fact that it was from a can. I've had campbell soup. The chicken soup was from a can. This review is based off the soup and the lie of being fresh. I might give their sandwiches a try since I've read about their sandwiches being amazing. So look out for an update. To be continued .....
(1)
Tania M.
BAD SERVICE, THEY DONT VALUE THEIR COSTUMERS, I just had the worst experience ever !!! I was forced to pay for COLD eggs and STEAKS that I only took a bite out of. After being a customer for 4 yrs, the management forced me to pay for food I did not eat, they even called the cops !!!! I have never had an issue at this restaurant before, they just exchanged 4 more years of our money for a 18 dollar check !! How embarrassing !!! If your a person that likes to be valued as a costumer then this is NOT THE PLACE FOR YOU !!!! OCCUPY EL TROPICO !!!
(1)
Mercie C.
Great sandwiches. Amazing breaded steak with ham & Swiss!! Yes Mojito was off the hook!! Super tasty!!
(5)
Geoffrey U.
Ate there three times on our recent vacation, since it was in convenient walking distance from our hotel. Great, great, great Cuban sandwiches, yummy coffee, good desserts, and the best mojito I ever had. Laid back service that was reasonably attentive. The pork for dinner one night was a little dry, but the complimentary toasted bread was extremely yummy.
(4)
Thurein P.
We were looking for a tasty-delicious Cuban lunch to take our minds off hang-overs from pre-wedding partying, and we found it here. It didn't look like much from the outside (typical strip mall exterior), but our decision to enter was heavily influenced by a large group of construction workers leaving the place with big grins (yes, some were even rubbing their bellies). Our group ordered a variety of items off the menu, all of which were good, but the dishes that struck me were the pork chops (don't remember what it was called on the menu), the El Tropico special (or "favorite", once again, details are hazy) which was a sandwich loaded with smoked meats, and the Cuban fried chicken. The Cuban fried chicken was especially tasty as it wasn't breaded but simply dipped in some spice mix before frying. I would've asked our server for more details, but she didn't speak a lick of English. However, service was still exceptional. The lunch ended with latin style espressos which were waaaay too sugary for me, but most of my friends liked it. We loved this place so much, about six of us stopped by to grab sandwiches to go before heading to the airport later that weekend.
(4)
Duke T.
The worst place I ever been. The place smelled liked like a sewage tank the moment you get in. The service is worse than the smell. This is a very racist place if you look like a non Spanish speaker and especially Asian. Look else where for Cuban food like Sergio's. The waiters are disgusting and condescending, calling me chino and I do speak Spanish. My waiter ignored me and called me chino, which is very racist .These people should learn manners which is not taught in their homes from a early age. But what should one expect from such an ignorant group of racist, illiterate, degenerates with low IQ people who excludes non Spanish speakers. The health department should investigate this place. I'm curious to find out how many people have fallen ill to their food. We left due to disrespect and racism and the low life waiter was offended. This place should have a sign we do not serve non Spanish speakers! Tourist stay away!!!!!
(1)
Rob T.
Good fresh fish dish, fried green plantains, and I had some sangria. Wife had a steak with a tomato base sauce and cheese - she liked it. We sat out on sidewalk tables. No idea what interior looks like. Good authentic Cuban cuisine - and a cigar shop next door. Very casual.
(4)
Topher G.
For Cuban this place has all the basics... definitely has an interesting atmosphere (though it's become slightly more "sterile" over the years). Food is priced well and sandwiches are served with yummy plantain chips. Pretty standard as far as Cuban food goes but not a bad place to stop for lunch if you happen to be in the area.
(3)
Ernesto R.
If you are looking for great cuban food i isn't here. Service was average and the food as well. Go to Padrinos or Little Havana instead.
(2)
Rose L.
Amazing Cuban sandwiches!
(4)
Marty W.
OMG! Now let me just first say that I have never had traditional Cuban food so this was my first experience, but wow, was it scrumptious! My husband & I were on our first vacation to Florida. We Yelped and found this place in walking distance from our hotel in Sunny Isles. We went back everyday, for our 6 day trip after the first night of trying this place! We only did one dinner and then came back for breakfast every morning. Every time we tried something different and we were never disappointed. For dinner we had a Mojito and the White Sangria, which were both very potent and deli sh! For dinner we split the plantains, yucca and garlic shrimp. Great flavor and perfect for splitting! For breakfast we tried various pastries, traditional eggs and potatoes and different Cuban coffees. Again all did not disappointed, we were always happy, satisfied and absolutely loved it! The service was also great. All waitresses were attentive and happy to answer any of our questions. Thanks El Tropico for a great Cuban experience!
(5)
rob b.
Great spot for cuban. Seems pretty authentic as most of the employees appear to be of cuban descent and cubans are there eating and smoking cigars all day long. Thats gotta count for something, right? All of their sandwiches are right on the spot. Ropa Vieja is my favorite.
(4)
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Address :17020 Collins Ave
Sunny Isles Beach, FL, 33160
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
Selena M.
If you are near in this area, then you should know how great it is to eat here. Place - Extremely well cleaned, you can see a lot of good things in their dining area. The comfort rooms are well maintained. Service - very good. I would give 5 star for their service, but there are sometime that their service is bad. Good thing there's time that they really excell on the service. Food - was good. Will usually come here just for their food.
(4)Yan K.
Our hotel was just few minutes away. We stumbled upon El Tropico on a second day, and kept on coming back every day. Excellent quality of food. Both breakfast and lunch. Dishes are authentic and crazy tasty. Empanadas and croquettes were juicy and melting in your mouth. Side dish of Yuco was to kill for :) Beer served with ice cold glasses, generous size of shots. And very friendly, professional stuff. Will go back to Miami just to eat here again!
(5)Everett M.
Outstanding, the real deal, love the flank steak with chimi-Chua sauce, yummy plantains and awesome Mojitos! Don't be turned off by the strip mall location and simple dining room- great service by staff and a fun time was had. Might come back for this breakfast it was so good!
(5)Mike Z.
Came here for some brunch this morning. I had a mushroom omelet which came with cafè con leche (cuban coffee with milk). Both were really good. We split french toast for dessert which was soft and tasty. Our waitress was really friendly and informative. The bathrooms were very disgusting, dirty and outdated. Overall a good experience with good food and good service. Would come here again.
(4)Karen R.
Was definitely not disappointed! I ordered the Ranchero eggs with a cortadito and my husband got the Egg breakfast with cafe con leche. The coffee and cortadito are amazing! Better than Starbucks' latte! Definitely recommend this place!
(5)Amalia Y.
I wanted to like it more. based on some great yelp reviews, came here for an early dinner... and was pretty disappointed. between five of us, no one was super thrilled with their meal. my garlic chicken came in a bowl of oil with garlic. I love garlic, but the full cup of oil it was sitting in made eating it a bit unpleasant. the tostones are so fried that they lose any unique flavor, and the platanos were a bit underdone. just about everything was underseasoned. steak fajitas were the best of what we ordered, though I've definitely had better. portions were large, and we had no room or desire for dessert. free wifi was a plus for the kids in our group... but definitely not good enough to warrant a return visit.
(2)Estefania S.
The mood at this restaurant definitely sets the scene for your typical Cuban Miami style restaurant. At different times, which I do not know of, they do have live music that is sure to be enjoyable with an area to dance if you are up for it and in the mood to shake it down! The gentleman that was taking care of us was Cuban as am I which made me very comfortable while placing my order, etc. each of my family members ordered a different item off of the money and then I did. We all tried of each other's dishes. I think the food was fairly good but it just turns out that my dish was not exactly what I expected. I ordered the ropa vieja and for my liking it just was not up to par. I've been to this spot many times and I would come again but just not order this particular dish. I would prefer to go with picadillo or vaca frita. Mmmm
(4)R W.
I'm here now actually. Seated right away. Nice waitress approached me as I sat at the counter. I had the chicken Pollo which was excellent. I will come again.
(3)Liz O.
Minute we walked in it took us 15 minutes to order get drinks then 10 minutes later we had our food. They were extremely helpful with deciding what we want and took our order no problem. I'm extremely impressed! And would come here again!
(5)Antonio L.
customer service was great. our waitress was very patient however i did not like the way how the food tasted, very stale, was not happy at the end especially if they charge alot for it. ive been here before and it was alot better. i will be back only if they improve from my last visit.
(2)Christine P.
Been living a few minutes from here for years - and only recently discovered this place for breakfast. Perfect for the mornings you wake up craving overly buttered, super (not at all) healthy toast, and cafe con leche. It's hard to find good Cuban on this side of town - so adding to my list.
(4)Cesar L.
I frequent this place a lot. This time I stopped by the window/coffee area to place my order. There was only one lady working the window, so she was very busy. I ordered the special of the day; chicken churrasco with white rice and sweet plantains. I also ordered a chicken soup. The chicken was a bit dry and lack the basic Latin flavors, but it was definitely earable. I won't order that again for sure. The staff looked happy and that turned into good customer service. Great location no doubt. I'll be back.
(3)Nancy H.
Vacation trip with friends. This place was recommended by the concierge at our hotel. We all highly recommend for lunch. I wish I had time to try dinner. Empanadas were on point. Plantains both green and sweet were delicious. Service was good also.
(5)Sergio Q.
The girls in the cafe are fantastic. I come often for breakfast. Simple fast and the service is good. Try the "steak and eggs" The price is very good!!!
(3)Meagan D.
Bottom line- GO HERE! We are visiting Sunny Isles for the first time and the hotel recommended this place. The food was spectacular. Best food we've had in a long time. Try the pork with mushrooms and the Cuban sampler appetizer. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Ximena s.
I order delivery twise from here already...first time they got my order wrong I gave it a second chance now after a few months ....I've got what I ordered but the meat was horrible it was hard and tested old . The only think I liked was the Arroz con leche. I don't think I'm eating from here ever again...specially after reading this reviews about roaches in the restaurant....(I should of read this reviews before eating from this place)
(1)Stuart M.
I have eaten here numerous times and have never been disappointed. The food is always cooked to perfection reflecting how I ordered it. The staff are well trained and respectful. I also find the food very reasonably priced and more flavourful than meals that cost double or triple the price. I would recommend this place to anybody whether it be for a large group or a single diner.
(5)Orly R.
I have been there for breakfast a couple of times and I was never disappointed. Excellent staff. Great for a quick bite in the morning. Try waffles or eggs with the Cuban bread. Yum! :)
(4)Julia B.
The food and atmosphere at El Tropico had me questioning whether I was in Sunny Isles Beach or actually in Havana. Well I've never really been to Cuba, so I can't really say, but if the food tastes as good as the food at this restaurant, I would move there in a heartbeat. And probably gain upwards of 20 pounds because the food tastes delicious and portions are twice the size of your local TGIFriday's. This restaurant looks very unassuming in this gigantic strip mall, it looks nice, but not extraordinary. But after you taste the food and your taste buds begin to have a little dance party, you will forget your surroundings completely! My friends and I sat on the patio, enjoying the warm spring weather, sipping on the mojitos-which were great, but cost just as much or more than some of our meals. I didn't really mind since I was on vacation, but for what I was paying I would have liked it to have been a little bit stronger, I could barely taste the rum in it. We started with some chicken empanadas, a classic you can't go wrong with, and they were yummy! We were also given some bread similar to garlic bread that was quite good. For my entree, I chose the steak Milanese and this thing was HUGE, I'm talking twice the size of my face. Milanse is breaded steak covered in ham, covered in lots and lots of cheese. Yeaaa, basically food porn. All entrees come with a choice of two sides, I went with the beans and rice (classic Cuban that you can't go wrong with) and the yucca (a root vegetable slightly similar to a potato) and both were equally amazing. My BF went with the pork loin in mushroom sauce and we kept stealing bites of each others food, we couldn't decide what was better. Our friend got the traditional Ropa Vieja, which I managed to get one bit of before it was gone, and I was impressed by how tender and juicy it was. At the end of our meal, we could not get up for a few minutes because we were so full and unfortunately could not even consider dessert because of this factor. If I came here again I would definitely have gotten a doggy bag (our travel plans the following day did not allow this.) In addition to the food, the atmosphere inside looked great for the brief moment that I saw it, with live music and couples dancing to the music. The service was good and the food came out quite quickly, especially for how busy the restaurant was. El Tropico is definitely worth a try if you're in Sunny Isles Beach and are looking for authentic Cuban food-I will be back for sure!
(4)Agustina P.
Cockroach alert!!! I've always found this place to be decent and go for breakfast every other weekend, but this morning, a freaking cockroach appeared from under my boyfriend's plate. I caught the critter with an empty glass and left it there to show our waitress. All she did was kill it and bring us our bill... with no discount or even an "I'm sorry about that." Maybe cockroaches are regulars there. I will most definitely never be going back!
(1)J. O.
Good food and the staff is always friendly. The last time we were there we had the sauteed garlic dolphin, roasted pork and shredded chicken. The chicken and dolphin were way over salted and the pork was dry. Have to say we've had really good food there - must have been an off day...
(4)Gordon B.
Greasy, deep-fried ... Pretty much sums it up. The music was obnoxiously loud and the menu is very limited if you're looking for quasi-healthy food. Looks more like a takeout restaurant. Definitely won't be returning here.
(2)Albert C.
i was here on saturday for dinner great food good prices no waiting for tables
(5)Hugo M.
This is a Family place with exceptional friendly and prompt service. I don't get to this part of the country often but this place is "real deal" Cuban food of very high quality and exceptional flavor. Please try this place I think you will find it as enjoyable as I did.
(5)Juliet S.
I would say this is miamis version of a pollo loco. I got the quesadilla salad since I have been eating way too much food while being here. For the price they give you a huge salad with a ton of chicken, black beans veggies and cheese. The cilantro sauce they have is yummy I used that as my dressing instead. Everyone else liked it as well and the prices. Also I don't know if it's just me but Miami is filled with snobby waiters and waitresses or people who work in Miami just have no personalities. Pollo tropical had a few really nice employees and I really liked that. It was quite a relief actually Now That's how we roll in LA :)
(5)Brian M.
What trip to southern Florida would be complete without some Cuban cuisine. So when I first checked into my hotel, I asked for a list of local restaurants and believe it or not El Tropico was not on the list, it wasn't until after that I asked another person at the hotel about a good Cuban restaurant that she pointed me to El Tropico. I am so glad I asked because I I loved the food. When I first arrived I was a little put off as it was just in the middle of a generic strip mall, however once I walked in my nerves were put to rest, this appears to be a family owned business because all of the workers really took pride in the experience. There was even a band setting up while we were eating, I really wanted to stay to see the band perform however time didn't allow. We first ordered an appetizer of Chicken Croquette which is basically a small breadcrumb fried food roll filled with mashed potatoes and chicken. These were great, I could have had all six to myself. As far as the entrees go I ordered the Pollo Al Tamarin, which was a grilled chicken breast in a sweet sauce, it reminded me a little of a sweet and sour sauce only better. The sides were just as good, I really enjoyed the black beans and rive, along with the plantains. The food was good, I even had a chance to try the Bistec Empanizad, which was a thin fried steak which I loved. Prices were very reasonable for the size of the meal, I was really a little depressed that I didn't come across this place for lunch because I really would had loved to dined here again however my flight home was leaving early the next morning however if I am ever back in the area I am going to make sure I return to El Tropico!
(4)Olivia G.
The service was quick and friendly. The food was very tasty. The price was very affordable. Not the cleanest looking place but I definitely recommend.
(4)Chip D.
As a resident of Sunny Isles - the best locals "only" place in town for breakfast or lunch! Breakfast; Cuban pastries and cafe con leche/cordaditos..... Lunch; medianoche or pan con lecheon with the small side order of tostones for the table! Awesome, simple food on the cheap! Service is great too, albeit a little slow - but so what, what's so bad about waiting 5 extra minutes for the check while you sip a cordadito!
(4)Hannah S.
El Tropico is a great and authentic Cuban restaurant which I have been going to for 10 years. Waiters & waitresses are always polite, even those who don't speak English (and especially a waitress named Estancia who serves me a lot). I feel "at home" when I'm there. Their pan tostado is the best I've had, baked fresh daily and served with a spread of butter, garlic, cilantro, and an assortment of savory spices. Ropa Vieja, or juicy shredded beef, is my "usual", a nicely sized portion served in a cozy saucer. It has a nice medley of veggies including onions, tomato, peppers, and peas. Occasionally, it has been stringy, or there have been small clusters of chewy meat, but this doesn't happen often. Another dish that I get there sometimes is the garlic chicken. It's a very strong flavor palette. It consists of 10- 15 small, thin portions of grilled chicken served floating in a dish of marinade. Very occasionally, the chicken has been slightly rubbery, slippery, or glossy, but when it's done right, it is phenomenal. Empanadas, soups, and sandwiches are also good choices here. It is moderately priced and there is outdoor seatingand live latin music on saturday nights which provides a very Cuban atmosphere combined with the decor and photographs on the walls. Very rarely, there are some slight issues with sanitation like bathrooms that could use cleaning, but the pros outweigh the cons in my opinion. If you're looking for something unique to try, this is the place, but its not for everyone. I wouldn't recommend it for vegans, picky people, or large groups. It does not have wifi, for those busy sissies who have their smartphones glued to their hands (jk :P)
(4)Michelle H.
Food is good. Cheap and yummy Cuban cuisine (which is all you want sometimes, right? Lol) I tried the Seafood paella which was nice, tender, and jumbalaya-ish asides from the fact that the squid was chewy. It's not that this place is bad...the food is good. But having tried this kind of cuisine a lot, it's just nothing special. But here's the kicker. The cafe con leche. Hands down, you will not have a better cafe con leche in Miami. The best cafe con leche, I repeat. I ordered one, realized it was not enough, and ordered another. They also got nice little free toasted garlic loaf appetizers. That's always nice. Overall nice, good tasting cheap Cuban cuisine that's not so special but has the utter best cafe con leche.
(3)D S.
El tropico has the worst service in sunny isles. We only ordered pastelitos and café con leche. The pastry was old and it tasted like it was from a week ago. I can deal with that but they also have the worst Cuban coffee! Service is disorganized.
(1)David J.
This place is nice. The foods is excellent and the service is great. When you come thru, you must try their coffee. The only thing is that the place has a basement odor, very strong. They need to work on that.
(4)Alexa C.
I ordered delivery from this spot last night once I was severely craving Abuela's Vaca Frita. The delivery did estimate to take 80 minutes but they managed to arrive within 60 which is pretty good. Overall, I found it pretty decent. The meat could have been a bit more crunchy with every sautéed onions as the recipe calls for, but it wasn't lacking flavor either. I think a better way to package it is to put a separate container for the rice and plantains with a smaller one for the meat. That way, the meat stays juicy and the rice stays steamy and hot. The shreds were to thick for me and I felt like it could have had a few more onions and be a bit more shredded. I've had this dish over and over in many different Cuban spots and though it's my favorite, I think maybe I would opt for a Pan Con Bistec from this place. Delivery driver was really nice though ! Extra star for coming out to deliver so late and having the option of ordering online.
(4)Beth M.
Soooooo good! Had the de pollo a la plancha and the chicken was absolutely fantastic. So were the plantains as a side. The waitstaff were all VeRy friendly, so not sure what happened with the other diners, or if I was friendly at the outset, making them friendly. Regardless, they took great care of me and I'm leaving super satisfied. The only reason that they aren't getting 5 stars is that the sautéed veggies were clearly frozen and microwaved
(4)Nadelia C.
Delicious food! Less then desirable service! Actually the service was quite lousy. First of all, we did not get any bread....then, they got my order wrong. When they brought all four plates to the table and I told them they didn't bring me what I ordered, they took the plate and brought me the correct plate 20 minutes later. Most restaurants would've left the wrong plate as a courtesy and brought you the correct plate. Afterwards, we had to ask for water...three times. There were four of us eating and all of our water glasses were empty. Then, when they brought my husband's coffee, they didn't bring sugar. We asked for sugar and they brought us a container full of Splenda. When my husband told them there was no sugar, the waiter looked at the container carefully to make sure my husband hadn't missed a hidden pack of sugar. When the waiter realized my husband was correct and there was no sugar, they brought us the sugar. Will I go back? No, I certainly would not!
(2)Eric N.
Food is very average to sub-average for flavor. Decent prices and decent portion. I like the cafe cubano, which is the only reason to visit this local spot.
(2)Shannon V.
Got an order delivered. First time trying it out. We all ordered Cuban sandwiches and the steak sandwich..all were very bland and not good. Hardly any meat n the sandwiches..very disappointed..have had great Cuban sandwiches in Austin, TX..this place doesn't even compare
(1)Rocco F.
Staying close by and my fiance and i had stumbled across this cuban restaurant on our walk. Fresh well seasoned food served by friendly attentive staff. Filled with alot of locals.
(4)Ingrid L.
Beware they serve food with Roaches!!!! EAT HERE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!! The owner yelled insulting me and refused to remove the roach infested item off my bill after ignoring me for half an hour. Then had the nerve to tell me, " THE ROACH IS FREE OF CHARGE!" I am local and I went there last week with a family member visiting. We ordered food and the house sangria they make in the kitchen. While drinking my sangria I noticed a small roach stuck to the fruit. I took it out with a straw and put in on a white napkin and had the 3 waiters take it to show the manager and the bill. I felt sick to my stomach and wanted to get out of there after being served a roach. I asked 5 times to speak to the manager. Then server tell me they do not have one and the owner did not want to deal with me and acted like he was busy. I got tired of waiting and figured if no one wants to deal with me in the restaurant then they would certainly get attention if I walked out the restaurant, and I was right! The moment I walked out a short pudgy man comes running out you did not pay and I told him that I have been waiting to speak to someone charge and I will not pay for a roach infested item. He was yelling like crazy and acted as if I dined and ditched the bill when all I was asking for was customer service. He just kept screaming that I need to pay the bill and he does not have roaches in his kitchen. This man was so irate that I called the cops. I paid my bill after the police arrived and the $6.99 sangria that the owner denies there was a roach in was removed! The sunny isles police were disgusted and apologetic for having to experience this. They advised me to call the health department and pst this review to warn other people of this place. I WILL AM CALLING THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT NEXT. I would rate this place 0 stars but that was not an option! Most restaurants with this experience would offer to waive the bill entirely or at least apologize and remove the compromised item off the bill.
(1)Rick S.
Went there for breakfast! The place was packed ! Great Cuban breakfast at reasonable prices. The cafe con leche was xcellent. I can't wait to go back and get the Cuban sandwich. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Cynthia V.
Definitely deserves 5 stars. All the food we had here was amazingly delicious! I came all the way from Californian not knowing any restaurants here so I yelped and ended up finding this place and all my family and friends agree with me that this place was delicious. Definitely coming back
(5)YT C.
Food was tasty but the whole experience is overshadowed by takeout waitress demanding a tip. That defeats the purpose of takeout. Yes it's the holidays and I did give. But to be so pushy about it was a bit tasteless.
(3)Ashley V.
This place is a must when visiting Sunny Isles beach!!! We come here for breakfast without fail. By far the most reasonable breakfast specials and of course the best cafe con leche in town. We also find ourselves taking the empandas to go as well as the pastries for a snack. Granted the decor is a little dated, and at times the service is slow, but it is definitely worth coming for the food!
(4)Joe B.
For a small Cuban joint I wouldn't have guessed that they served a standard type breakfast but it turns out that they have a solid breakfast following judging on the stream of patrons dropping in on a Monday morning. I came here with a really large party so I can't be overly disappointed with the service or the food but a few minor issues stood out. I had ordered the number two...2 eggs over easy, potatoes, bacon and a café con leche. My café never came and now that I think about it they forgot my bacon too. The egg yolks were underdone while the whites were browned but I have to say that their potatoes are pretty fantastic. We also ordered one of each of their empanadas which were all great, our favorite being the chicken. We also tried some of their roasted plantains which were a treat in themselves. The prices are very affordable and I think I'd love to give this place another shot if I was to return to the area. I'd definitely try the Cuban sandwich after seeing a friends arrive.
(3)Oscar L.
Service is good, even though some of the staff speak no English, they do a good job of keeping up with the steps of service. The lunch specials are awesome. Everyday they have at least 5 dishes that are well priced and well portioned. The ambiance is casual, with outdoor seating. Most importantly the food is delicious. I've been going there for the last 3 year and it has never, ever, not once disappointed.
(5)Michael O.
We were referred here by the concierge and was happily surprise. We wanted to try a Cuban restaurant during our stay. Upon entering there were a group of older men playing Backgammon and smoking cigars out front. Inside help was pleasant. I had the skirt steak and black beans while my wife had pork with a mushroom sauce and rice with black beans. Both were very tasty.
(4)Jenny L.
Mushroom garlic pork had a wonderful creamy sauce and garlic chicken was tender and delicious (note: served in bowl of garlic oil). Both dishes came with two sides each so we chose yellow rice each, plantains, and fries. Decently priced and service was quick.
(4)Wes M.
The food was great. Lots of it. It was nicer than expected based on walking up to it. The service was quick too. The croquettes and the empanadas were awesome.
(4)Shain R.
Terrific restaurant with excellent execution of traditional Cuban dishes. I think they also do very well with larger groups. I'm not sure, but it seems like the staff is a big family. We dine in and order through delivery.com quite frequently. In particular we like the bistec pollo, masas de puerco fritas (awesome!), and tres leches. Sometime I want to try their breakfast because I know it will be great with café Cubano.
(4)Paul B.
fantastic restaurant!! great place to go for breakfast! i highly recommend the empanadas: they are absolutely amazing!! also recommend the french toast which is also very tasty! they also have fresh squeezed orange juice which is always great to have in the morning! also, if your a coffee fan, i hear the cafe con leche is very popular so definitely get a cup if you're there
(5)Wayne H.
Some of the best Cuban food I have ever had! I always knew that I loved Cuban food but this place brought my taste buds to another level. The first night, yes I went back for seconds, I had the fried pork chunks with yellow rice and black beans. It was the best. The fried pork chunks were so tender you could cut them with a fork. The yellow rice was mouth watering good. For the chicken and rice (Arroz Pollo) you have to call ahead 60 minutes so I did so the next day and it was just what I thought it would be . Off the hook delicious. The service was great also, I had a nice waitress from Argentina, forgot her name and the second visit Ivan helped me out and was very nice. They even gave me a cardboard tray to take the food to go. I will certainly come back to this spot when I come back to MIAMI!
(4)Ryan V.
First time having Cuban food, not bad. We had shredded pork and Cuban fried steak, a little salty but good. I had the Cuban ice coffee, pretty good and it kept me up all nite.
(4)J.R. L.
My first experience in Cuban food. The food was tasty but a little too greasy, although their mojito was just right. The plantain chips and the dip were nice. The Cuban coffee was delicious, but a tad too sweet. The service was very good, with a server taking time to explain each meal, make recommendations, and familiarize us with Cuban cuisine. Our order arrived promptly. It's probably just not for me. If you like Cuban, you will probably enjoy this place.
(4)Jonah K.
Good location, decent food. Nothing to write home about, you need to have some seriously good cuban food. I mean this is Miami :) Service was friendly and good. English is well understood here.
(3)irina b.
Adorable Cuban restaurant. Excellent Mojito but costs $12 each! Pollo Ajillo was dry and that is supposed to be their signature dish. Beans and rice were excellent and I felt very bloated afterwards. Chicken Empanizado (Deep fried chicken breast) was ok but a bit dry. Flan was delicious.3 milk cake also good. Chicken soup was very good.
(3)Igor P.
SO happy to finally find a cuban restaurant. I have been dreaming of eating tostones, ropa vieja, and churrasco like I used to in NJ so I was so excited to find this place so close to where I live. The food was fresh, hot, yummy and inexpensive. Plus they have fruit smoothies which you can get with either milk or water which are so scrum. I like that the restaurant is clean and well designed, really a pleasant environment especially with the soft, Spanish music playing in the background. Will definitely come back to enjoy the food again and to see the lovely, gap-toothed waitress who pronounced water as "gggvater".
(4)Adam C.
This place was an accidental discovery for us that became our favorite restaurant the week we stayed in Miami. Coming from Chicago, we researched the heck out of the best restaurants to try and we hit several of the most highly-rated places in the city. El Tropico was not on that list, but we happened to stroll by it one day while we went for a long walk. We noticed a bunch of real Cubans ordering espressos, playing dominos and backgammon and eating what looked like delicious food. We stopped in to sample the food and were totally blown away. The empanadas are outstanding (we tried all three flavors and could not decide which was best). The black beans and rice are perfectly prepared. The pork loin with creamy mushroom sauce was my wife's favorite dish, while I really liked the Ropa Vieja. We also tried and loved the Cuban coffee there. In our full week of vacation, we ended up going to this place three times. The last night we were in Miami, we capped the vacation off with a Saturday night visit to El Tropico for their live music and dancing. It was incredible. The music was like Buena Vista Social club and the patrons all began to dance very well after they finished their meals. My wife was like "We're so taking lessons and coming back here next year!" You can't go wrong with this place. It's like this hole-in-the-wall restaurant that's in a strip-mall, but if you give it a chance, you'll be back again and again like we were.
(5)Eric K.
As I learned recently, it's about a $40 cab ride from North Miami Beach to South Beach. Therefore, in need of a quick bite from our hotel in Sunny Isles, we ventured through the strip malls bordering the northern part of Collins Ave and found our long lost Cuban grandma's cooking at El Tropico. The nondescript restaurant sign and the middle-aged guys sitting in front of the restaurant sipping on cafe con leches from styrofoam cups gave me good vibes, and the food was all comfort, which was perfect for recovering after a weekend of wedding celebrations. For one lunch, we got a complimentary basket of garlic cuban toast and an order of fried plantain chips to start, and I got the classic ropa vieja with 2 sides, yellow rice and black beans. The ropa vieja came in a big cup full of strands of beef in a hearty tomatoey stew that were accompanied perfectly by the sides. I tried my friend's vaca frita, which consisted of strands of beef, fried and sauteed, and I decided my ropa vieja was way better. I ended the meal with a great cup of cafe con leche, and liked the meal so much that I came here again on another morning for brunch. For my 2nd meal, I got the cubano sandwich and it was packed full of pork and ham with pickle and mustard to give it some bite. And for $7, I imagined how much I'd have to pay for this sizable sandwich in NY. If you find yourself in North Miami Beach and you're not in the mood to spend on the cab to eat somewhere in sobe, pay your respects to your cuban grandma. She will save you money and give you a meal to remember.
(4)Nico J.
Fast service on a Thursday mid morning. Omellete was good, cage con Leche satisfying. Everyone was speaking Spanish so it was a little closer to being in Cuba. A little. Nicer interior than I expected. Will be back for a coffee from the walk up service Window.
(4)Amy H.
Large portions. Delicious food. Pork and steak both amazing. Attentive service. Perfect mojito. Terrific choice for vacationer.
(4)Jason F.
Very friendly staff, great quality food. Try the Cuban coffee. The walk up window is very convenient. Cudos!!
(4)Jim P.
This laid back Cuban restaurant has a lil somethin for everyone. The walk up window and old diner style gives it a simple feel. But if you're looking for something more formal, look no further than the main dining room. The hand full of times I've eaten here the food was excellent, but I expect this from any Cuban restaurant on Collins. I go here mainly to have a cup of the GREAT Cuban coffee. On Saturday nights, this place is usually packed. They host a live Cuban band and a healthy crowd. You'll even see some couples dancing (usually the habanera). If you find yourself talking to a particularly friendly stranger, it's probably the owner. He's an owner that doesn't mind making sure his customers enjoy themselves. So, if you happen to end up in Sunny Isles. Stop at this understated Cuban restaurant for a great meal and cool atmosphere.
(5)Claudine C.
This establishment in the RK strip mall near the Newport Beachside is a fair alternative to Starbuck's... if you've got some time to spare. We ordered at the take-our window, and must have waited 1/2 hour to 45 minutes for our order to materialize. We chose the steak and eggs off the breakfast menu, 2 cafe con leches and 6 croquetas (3 jamon and 3 pollo). The steak and eggs were underseasoned, and the pollo croquetas bland (stick with the jamon). I'd give the place another try - the menu is extensive, and I'd certainly like to try their lechon, cuban sandwich, cortaditos...
(2)Evelyn S.
"No bread?" My first experience here for dinner wasn't great. For starters, food was somewhat overpriced and our table was not given any bread or rolls. Call me old fashioned but I've dined at countless Cuban restaurants and toasted Cuban bread is the bare minimum I would expect to receive at dinner. To add insult to injury, their huge bread press was visible from where we were sitting. Other than that, the food was very good, but portions were a little small for the price. Against my own wishes, I gave the place another try for lunch. This time we sat at the "casual" walk-up/booth side of the restaurant and I was pleasantly surprised with the meal. I had one of the best Cuban sandwiches in town with plantain chips and a perfect cup of cafe con leche. Everything was delicious and the lunch prices were better. In the future, I might give this place another star if the owners would only share their delicious bread with the dinner patrons. Maybe next time..
(3)Beverley D.
Was craving chicken soup. I asked the server if the chicken soup was made fresh daily. "Yes, our soup is made fresh" You would think that fresh meant fresh. I felt like I was drinking a can of campbell soup with a roast chicken cut up to make it seem fresh and to hide the fact that it was from a can. I've had campbell soup. The chicken soup was from a can. This review is based off the soup and the lie of being fresh. I might give their sandwiches a try since I've read about their sandwiches being amazing. So look out for an update. To be continued .....
(1)Tania M.
BAD SERVICE, THEY DONT VALUE THEIR COSTUMERS, I just had the worst experience ever !!! I was forced to pay for COLD eggs and STEAKS that I only took a bite out of. After being a customer for 4 yrs, the management forced me to pay for food I did not eat, they even called the cops !!!! I have never had an issue at this restaurant before, they just exchanged 4 more years of our money for a 18 dollar check !! How embarrassing !!! If your a person that likes to be valued as a costumer then this is NOT THE PLACE FOR YOU !!!! OCCUPY EL TROPICO !!!
(1)Mercie C.
Great sandwiches. Amazing breaded steak with ham & Swiss!! Yes Mojito was off the hook!! Super tasty!!
(5)Geoffrey U.
Ate there three times on our recent vacation, since it was in convenient walking distance from our hotel. Great, great, great Cuban sandwiches, yummy coffee, good desserts, and the best mojito I ever had. Laid back service that was reasonably attentive. The pork for dinner one night was a little dry, but the complimentary toasted bread was extremely yummy.
(4)Thurein P.
We were looking for a tasty-delicious Cuban lunch to take our minds off hang-overs from pre-wedding partying, and we found it here. It didn't look like much from the outside (typical strip mall exterior), but our decision to enter was heavily influenced by a large group of construction workers leaving the place with big grins (yes, some were even rubbing their bellies). Our group ordered a variety of items off the menu, all of which were good, but the dishes that struck me were the pork chops (don't remember what it was called on the menu), the El Tropico special (or "favorite", once again, details are hazy) which was a sandwich loaded with smoked meats, and the Cuban fried chicken. The Cuban fried chicken was especially tasty as it wasn't breaded but simply dipped in some spice mix before frying. I would've asked our server for more details, but she didn't speak a lick of English. However, service was still exceptional. The lunch ended with latin style espressos which were waaaay too sugary for me, but most of my friends liked it. We loved this place so much, about six of us stopped by to grab sandwiches to go before heading to the airport later that weekend.
(4)Duke T.
The worst place I ever been. The place smelled liked like a sewage tank the moment you get in. The service is worse than the smell. This is a very racist place if you look like a non Spanish speaker and especially Asian. Look else where for Cuban food like Sergio's. The waiters are disgusting and condescending, calling me chino and I do speak Spanish. My waiter ignored me and called me chino, which is very racist .These people should learn manners which is not taught in their homes from a early age. But what should one expect from such an ignorant group of racist, illiterate, degenerates with low IQ people who excludes non Spanish speakers. The health department should investigate this place. I'm curious to find out how many people have fallen ill to their food. We left due to disrespect and racism and the low life waiter was offended. This place should have a sign we do not serve non Spanish speakers! Tourist stay away!!!!!
(1)Rob T.
Good fresh fish dish, fried green plantains, and I had some sangria. Wife had a steak with a tomato base sauce and cheese - she liked it. We sat out on sidewalk tables. No idea what interior looks like. Good authentic Cuban cuisine - and a cigar shop next door. Very casual.
(4)Topher G.
For Cuban this place has all the basics... definitely has an interesting atmosphere (though it's become slightly more "sterile" over the years). Food is priced well and sandwiches are served with yummy plantain chips. Pretty standard as far as Cuban food goes but not a bad place to stop for lunch if you happen to be in the area.
(3)Ernesto R.
If you are looking for great cuban food i isn't here. Service was average and the food as well. Go to Padrinos or Little Havana instead.
(2)Rose L.
Amazing Cuban sandwiches!
(4)Marty W.
OMG! Now let me just first say that I have never had traditional Cuban food so this was my first experience, but wow, was it scrumptious! My husband & I were on our first vacation to Florida. We Yelped and found this place in walking distance from our hotel in Sunny Isles. We went back everyday, for our 6 day trip after the first night of trying this place! We only did one dinner and then came back for breakfast every morning. Every time we tried something different and we were never disappointed. For dinner we had a Mojito and the White Sangria, which were both very potent and deli sh! For dinner we split the plantains, yucca and garlic shrimp. Great flavor and perfect for splitting! For breakfast we tried various pastries, traditional eggs and potatoes and different Cuban coffees. Again all did not disappointed, we were always happy, satisfied and absolutely loved it! The service was also great. All waitresses were attentive and happy to answer any of our questions. Thanks El Tropico for a great Cuban experience!
(5)rob b.
Great spot for cuban. Seems pretty authentic as most of the employees appear to be of cuban descent and cubans are there eating and smoking cigars all day long. Thats gotta count for something, right? All of their sandwiches are right on the spot. Ropa Vieja is my favorite.
(4)